Regional Dialogue Academy “Dialogue for Resilience” 2026 in Lithuania: Fully Funded International Learning Programme for Educators, Youth Workers, Journalists, Civic Leaders and Community Professionals ·Unknown

Apply for the Regional Dialogue Academy “Dialogue for Resilience” 2026 in Vilnius, Lithuania

Applications are now open for the Regional Dialogue Academy “Dialogue for Resilience” 2026, an international learning programme designed to strengthen democratic resilience, civic participation, and dialogue across societies facing conflict, displacement, polarization, and disinformation.

Organized by the Eastern European Network for Citizenship Education (EENCE) and the Democratic Initiatives Incubator, this unique academy will bring together approximately 30 professionals from the Eastern Partnership region and diaspora communities to participate in an immersive learning experience in Vilnius, Lithuania, from 22–26 September 2026.

The programme provides an exceptional opportunity for educators, civil society practitioners, journalists, artists, researchers, youth workers, and community leaders to exchange knowledge, develop innovative approaches to dialogue, and establish long-term regional collaborations aimed at strengthening democratic societies.

Participation in the academy is completely free, with accommodation, meals, learning materials, international travel reimbursement, local transportation, and visa-related costs covered by the organizers within specified reimbursement limits.

If you are passionate about civic education, peacebuilding, community engagement, or democratic participation, this academy offers an outstanding platform to expand your expertise while connecting with professionals from multiple countries.

About the Regional Dialogue Academy 2026

Modern societies across Europe and neighboring regions continue to experience unprecedented social and political challenges. Armed conflicts, forced displacement, misinformation, declining public trust, political polarization, and social fragmentation have created an urgent need for effective dialogue and inclusive civic participation.

Recognizing these challenges, the Regional Dialogue Academy “Dialogue for Resilience” has been created as an international educational initiative that empowers professionals working directly with communities.

Rather than being a traditional conference or lecture-based programme, the academy is designed as an interactive learning environment where participants can:

• Share practical experiences.
• Exchange successful methodologies.
• Learn from internationally experienced facilitators.
• Collaborate across borders.
• Develop innovative community-based dialogue initiatives.
• Build sustainable professional networks.

Participants will explore how dialogue can become one of the strongest tools for rebuilding trust, strengthening democratic values, and creating resilient communities capable of addressing today’s complex challenges.

Programme Dates

The Regional Dialogue Academy will take place according to the following schedule:

• 22 September 2026 – Arrival of participants
• 23–25 September 2026 – Academy programme
• 26 September 2026 – Departure

Programme Location

The academy will be hosted in:

Vilnius, Lithuania

Vilnius provides an inspiring setting for intercultural learning, democratic dialogue, and regional cooperation, making it an ideal venue for this international programme.

Objectives of the Academy

The Regional Dialogue Academy aims to:

• Strengthen democratic resilience.
• Promote inclusive dialogue across divided societies.
• Build practical skills in civic education.
• Encourage regional cooperation.
• Foster cross-border partnerships.
• Support educators and community professionals.
• Develop practical initiatives that improve civic participation.
• Encourage collaborative solutions to current democratic challenges.

Ultimately, the programme seeks to equip participants with practical tools they can immediately implement within their own communities.

What Participants Will Learn

Over three intensive training days, participants will engage in a wide range of interactive learning sessions covering today’s most pressing civic and democratic issues.

Facilitating Dialogue in Divided Communities

Participants will explore techniques for:

• Managing difficult conversations.
• Building trust among conflicting groups.
• Encouraging respectful communication.
• Creating safe dialogue spaces.
• Addressing community tensions.

Trauma-Sensitive Education and Community Work

The programme will introduce practical approaches for working with communities affected by:

• Armed conflict.
• Forced migration.
• Social trauma.
• Displacement.
• Violence.

Participants will learn how to facilitate inclusive learning while recognizing the psychological impacts experienced by different communities.

Democratic Resilience and Civic Participation

Sessions will focus on:

• Strengthening democratic institutions.
• Encouraging citizen participation.
• Supporting active citizenship.
• Promoting democratic values.
• Building resilient communities.

Memory, Identity and Difficult Conversations

Participants will examine how historical memory, identity, and cultural narratives influence public dialogue.

Topics include:

• Collective memory.
• National identity.
• Historical conflicts.
• Reconciliation.
• Sensitive public discussions.

Inclusion, Diversity and Social Cohesion

Participants will explore methods for creating more inclusive societies by promoting:

• Equal participation.
• Diversity.
• Mutual understanding.
• Social cohesion.
• Respect for different perspectives.

Countering Disinformation Through Civic Education

With misinformation becoming an increasing challenge worldwide, the academy will examine:

• Media literacy.
• Critical thinking.
• Civic education strategies.
• Public awareness.
• Community resilience against disinformation.

Designing Participatory Learning Experiences

Participants will also gain practical experience in creating engaging educational activities through:

• Interactive learning.
• Collaborative workshops.
• Community-based projects.
• Participatory education methods.
• Civic engagement exercises.

Interactive Learning Approach

The academy emphasizes practical participation rather than passive learning.

Participants will engage in:

• Interactive workshops.
• Facilitated dialogue sessions.
• Practical simulations.
• Collaborative design sessions.
• Group discussions.
• Peer learning.
• Case studies.
• Reflection exercises.
• Experience sharing.
• Team-based activities.

This hands-on methodology enables participants to immediately adapt newly acquired skills within their own professional settings.

Beyond the Academy: National Dialogue Labs

One of the academy’s most valuable features is that learning continues long after the event concludes.

Following the programme, participants will become part of National Dialogue Labs, which are local initiatives designed to bring dialogue and civic education into:

• Schools.
• Universities.
• Community organizations.
• Cultural institutions.
• Civil society organizations.
• Public spaces.
• Youth initiatives.

These initiatives allow participants to implement what they have learned while receiving continued methodological support from the project team.

Long-Term Regional Network

Participants will also join an expanding regional network of professionals committed to:

• Democratic resilience.
• Citizenship education.
• Civic participation.
• Community engagement.
• Peacebuilding.
• Dialogue facilitation.
• Cross-border cooperation.

This network provides valuable opportunities for future collaboration beyond the academy itself.

Who Should Apply?

The organizers encourage applications from professionals already engaged in community work and committed to strengthening democratic societies through dialogue.

Eligible applicants include:

• Educators.
• Teachers.
• Youth workers.
• Civil society practitioners.
• Artists.
• Cultural practitioners.
• Journalists.
• Media professionals.
• Researchers.
• Community leaders.
• Representatives of public institutions.
• Facilitators.
• Professionals working in civic education.
• Professionals involved in democratic participation.

Previous involvement with the EENCE network is welcomed but is not required.

APPLY HERE

Eligible Countries

Applications are open to professionals currently based in:

• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Georgia
• Moldova
• Ukraine
• Germany
• Poland
• Lithuania

The programme also welcomes professionals from Eastern Partnership countries who currently reside elsewhere in Europe but continue supporting citizenship education initiatives within their home countries or communities.

Working Languages

The academy will be conducted in:

• English
• Russian

Participants should be able to actively participate in at least one of these languages.

Interpretation between English and Russian will be available during selected programme sessions.

Financial Support

Participation is completely free.

Selected participants will receive:

• Accommodation in twin rooms.
• Meals throughout the programme.
• Learning materials.
• International travel reimbursement.
• Local transportation within Vilnius.
• Visa costs (where applicable, within reimbursement limits).
• Insurance costs (within reimbursement limits).

Detailed travel arrangements will be communicated to selected participants after acceptance.

Participant Selection Process

Approximately 30 participants will be selected through an open and competitive application process.

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Professional experience.
• Motivation.
• Ability to apply the academy’s methodologies.
• Potential impact within local communities.
• Ideas for future dialogue initiatives.

The organizers will also strive to ensure diversity by selecting participants from various:

• Countries.
• Professional backgrounds.
• Perspectives.
• Experiences.

Equal participation will also be considered during the selection process.

Why You Should Apply

The Regional Dialogue Academy offers significantly more than a short-term training programme.

Participants will benefit from:

• International professional networking.
• Practical dialogue facilitation skills.
• Civic education methodologies.
• Trauma-sensitive educational approaches.
• Collaborative project development.
• Cross-cultural exchange.
• Long-term professional partnerships.
• Access to experienced international facilitators.
• Continued engagement through National Dialogue Labs.
• Membership in a growing regional democratic resilience network.

Professionals committed to building stronger communities and promoting democratic participation will gain valuable knowledge, practical experience, and lasting international connections.

Visit HERE to learn more about the Regional Dialogue Academy “Dialogue for Resilience” 2026 in Lithuania

Application Deadline

The application deadline is 30 July 2026.

Applications submitted after this date may not be considered.

Interested applicants are encouraged to complete and submit their applications well before the deadline to avoid missing this opportunity.

For questions regarding the programme, applicants may contact: DialogueAcademyEENCE@gmail.com

Conclusion

The Regional Dialogue Academy “Dialogue for Resilience” 2026 represents a remarkable opportunity for professionals working in education, media, civil society, culture, research, and community leadership to strengthen their capacity to foster dialogue in increasingly complex societies.

By combining practical learning, international collaboration, civic education, and long-term community engagement, the academy empowers participants with the tools necessary to address polarization, promote democratic participation, and strengthen resilience within their communities. Beyond the intensive programme in Vilnius, participants will continue their journey through National Dialogue Labs and a growing regional network dedicated to advancing citizenship education and meaningful dialogue across Eastern Europe and beyond.

If you are committed to creating more inclusive, resilient, and democratic societies, this fully funded academy offers an exceptional opportunity to learn, collaborate, and make a lasting impact.

For more global conference/training opportunities visit OFY HERE